Tree recycling

‘Tis the season for Christmas tree recycling at the Army Corps of Engineers’ Hartwell Lake. Through February 15, the Corps will collect used, natural Christmas trees (no artificial trees) that will be used as fish attractors throughout Lake Hartwell. The trees will be tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors, and submerged in various locations marked with fish attractor buoys. Among locations where Christmas trees can be dropped off are the Coneross boat ramp in Oconee County and the Twin Lakes boat ramp in Pickens County. “By recycling used Christmas trees in Hartwell Lake, we provide cover for fish and enhance nursery habitat for juvenile fish,” said Corps Park Ranger Jess Fleming. “The trees are also beneficial to aquatic insects, which are essential food for most fish species.”